A joint statement from the city council and Lancashire County Council about the plans said: “Of course, as one of Preston’s most important, historic and listed buildings we have to be sensitive to the architecture and history. But time and time again, people have been telling us they want to see the Harris open up and talk about the huge success of the Harris Flights a few years ago.

“Now with this major bid for lottery funding we have the chance to be bold and ambitious in a way we’ve never been able to before. It’s time to seize the moment and unlock the true potential of the Harris for this and future generations to come.”